It’s virtually inevitable that there are going to be changes in the Milwaukee Bucks‘ roster this summer. The fact that they suffered a first-round exit for a second season running all but guarantees some form of shake-up ahead of the new campaign.

Feb 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shake hands before the start of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bucks’ front office decides to go all out in their summer revamping, then the biggest name that could be on his way out is Damian Lillard. The Bucks obviously don’t want to let Giannis Antetokounmpo go anywhere, so if they were going to break up this core, Dame would be the obvious choice.

Not that they would, though.

Milwaukee Bucks News: Wild Damian Lillard Trade Proposal

Apr 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
To be honest, the Bucks trading away Damian Lillard after just one season seems highly improbable. If anything, Milwaukee will continue to build around Lillard and Giannis, as it doesn’t appear as though they’re anywhere close to giving up on this duo.

Then again, anything can happen, right? In fact, Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World believes that if the Bucks wanted to get as much value as they could from Lillard in the trade market, they could look in the direction of their Central Division rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Below are the details of the proposed blockbuster deal:

Bucks get: Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, 2031 First-Round Pick

Cavaliers get: Damian Lillard

Lavia argues that the biggest motivation here for the Bucks is to replace Lillard with a younger version:

“This scenario could provide the Bucks with the opportunity to rejuvenate their roster by adding a younger star in Garland and additional assets, while giving Lillard a chance to compete at a higher level with the Cavaliers, especially given the uncertainties around his current team’s injury struggles and recent playoff disappointments,” Leiva wrote.

Apr 5, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up the court against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
First off, I’m not entirely sure if you can say that the Cavs are able to offer Dame “a chance to compete at a higher level.” Then again, it’s Cleveland who is still fighting in the postseason while the Bucks are currently on vacation.

Nevertheless, it just doesn’t seem like a sound decision for the Bucks, who will be looking to capitalize on Antetokounmpo’s prime years. Darius Garland, despite being a bona fide All-Star, seems like a significant downgrade from Lillard and sounds counterproductive to Milwaukee’s current objectives.
Feb 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) takes the floor against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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